IMA EXPOSED - Endorses Commercial Products for Money Sake
What’s common between Asian Paints Royale health Shield, Crompton Anti Bacterial Bulb, Tropicana, Quaker Oats, Eureka forbes Water Purifier, Kent Water Purifier, Dettol Skincare soap and Odomos? All of them have been ‘endorsed’ by the indian Medical Association (IMA, a national voluntary organisation of Doctors of Modern Scientific System of Medicine), where a fee was paid to the association by the brand, for the privilege of using the name of the association’s ‘stamp of approval’ in their marketing communication.
The indian Medical Association (IMA), a private association of allopathic doctors in the country, seems to have put itself in a tough spot by embroiling in unnecessary controversies. Even as IMA continues to data-face flak for its overzealous actions against baba Ramdev, fresh allegations have surdata-faced against IMA, accusing them of promoting commercial products of private companies in exchange for huge fees. Several brands have paid the ‘fees’ to IMA in exchange for the association’s “stamp of approval”, which these brands often use to market their products. The IMA’s commercial endorsements of products at the cost of health safety have become a major talking point in the country.
Preferring money over consumers’ heath, the indian Medical Association had not only endorsed a range of products from fruit juice to an LED bulb but also had given a stamp of approval for these products saying these products had health benefits.